EU report warns fish stock recovery remains too slow

The European Commission has found that a decade of EU fishing rules under the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) has delivered some progress on sustainability, but that fish stocks are recovering more slowly than planned and many fishers remain under economic pressure.

In an evaluation of the CFP Regulation from 2014 to 2024, the Commission said overfishing had declined and fisheries management had improved, with the share of stocks fished at sustainable levels rising from 50% in 2014 to 63% in 2022, according to the report.

However, the Commission said the gains had fallen short of earlier expectations, with problems persisting in the form of high operating costs, ageing vessels, and limited access to fishing opportunities for small-scale fishers, coupled with the impacts of geopolitical developments and energy prices.

The evaluation also found that the issue lay less with the rules themselves than with how they have been applied. According to the Commission, inconsistent implementation and enforcement by member states has weakened the policy’s effect.

The report said the EU’s fishing sector continued to face economic strain, while the processing sector had proved more resilient. It also found that the policy’s contribution to food security had been moderate, partly because domestic production has remained static or declined. Meanwhile, EU aquaculture was described as profitable but still too small to fulfil its potential.

The problem of fishing vessels discarding unwanted catches also remains, the report found. The Commission said the landing obligation, which requires fishers to bring all catches ashore, had not produced the intended improvements in fishing practices, largely because of poor implementation.

The evaluation said regional decision-making had improved governance by giving member states and stakeholders a greater role, though it also noted that the process can slow the adoption of measures.

Costas Kadis, the EU commissioner for fisheries and oceans, said: “A decade of the common fisheries policy has put Europe on a more sustainable path, protecting better the marine resources our fishers rely on. Our governance is stronger, and our international leadership on ocean protection is clear."

"However, climate change, limited marine space, increased fuel prices and rapid geopolitical changes keep testing our resilience," Kadis warned. "Fish stock rebuilding is lagging, impacting fishers and coastal communities."

Kadis indicated the report's findings will feed into possible future changes to the CFP and into the Commission’s planned 2040 Vision for Fisheries and Aquaculture.

The evaluation was conducted as part of the European Ocean Pact, and can be accessed in full via the European Commission website here.